In light of today being Valentine’s Day and of our recent Parent Weekend focused on bonding, attachment, and fostering healthy connection in our families, I wanted to share my paraphrase of “The Love Chapter” from 1 Corinthians.
 
1 Corinthians 13:1-7 Mike’s Paraphrase
If I were to speak with brilliance and lecture with the most compelling reasoning imaginable, yet I didn’t express myself with love, my words would be reduced to nothing more than the echoing sound of a barking dog. And I were to have the gift of forecasting the future and understanding the hidden mysteries of God, (which often I am convinced I do and if only my children listened to me, they would be spared all manner of adversity), if I possessed supernatural wisdom, if my faith could move a mountain, erase a hurt, or rewind time, but if I never learned to love, then I am nothing. And if I were to be so generous that I give away everything, work to the point of exhaustion to provide, maintain a home, put nurturing food on the table, make sacrifices that my kids don’t see and won’t appreciate until they are parents, without the pure motive of love, it’s all for nothing.
 
Love is immeasurable and exceedingly patient.
Love is gentle and kind.
Love doesn’t get jealous.
Love has no need to feel admired or important.
Love doesn’t deal in shame or disrespect.
Love isn’t concerned about looking good.
Love is not quickly annoyed or irritated.
Love is not easily offended.
Love thrives on the truth and not wrongdoing or causing harm.
Love lays out a welcome mat and creates safety.
Love never stops seeing and believing the best in others.
Love hopes.
Love never stops at failure but sees it as an invitation to deeper connection and purpose.
Love never quits.
 
Mike Haara
Mike Haarer, MA, LMHC
Executive Director